Adversaries Quote by Charles Henry Fowler
“You are born supernaturally through faith, by the grace of God, into the kingdom of righteousness; but you are born a little babe, that is all; and if you make any progress from that point on, it must be by work, by sacrifice, by the practice of Christian virtues, by benevolence, by self-denial, by resisting the adversary, by making valiant war for God and against sin; and on no other basis, am I authorized in giving you a hope that you may come to manhood in Christ Jesus.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Christian Discipleship, 19th century
Spiritual growth requires divine grace at birth, then human effort, virtue, and struggle against sin to mature in faith.
In simple terms: Faith starts you, work matures you.
Key Takeaway
Combine grace with disciplined practice.
Themes
faith
virtue
spiritual growth
discipline
struggle
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
theological
motivational
When to use this quote
- church life
- personal devotion
- mission work
- ethical decisions
Key Concepts
Christian theology
sanctification
spiritual warfare
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance reliance on grace with personal responsibility?
- What virtues are hardest for you to practice?
A Different Perspective
Grace alone does not guarantee maturity without active effort.
